December 1872

Wednesday 04:

The crewless American ship Mary Celeste is found by the British brig Dei Gratia (the ship was abandoned for 9 days but was only slightly damaged).

Monday 09:

P. B. S. Pinchback becomes the first serving African American governor of a U.S. state

Thursday 12:

A meteorite struck earth near the town of Banbury, England.

Saturday 21:

HMS Challenger sails from Portsmouth on the 4 year scientific expedition that would lay the foundation for the science of oceanography